Jet Fighters of the US Navy and Marine Corps Part 2: Mach 1 and Beyond

Detail & Scale

Reviewed by Don Linn

This is a review of the printed version (the digital version is also available) of the new Detail & Scale book  Jet Fighters of the US Navy and Marine Corps Part 2: Mach 1 and Beyond by Bert Kinzey and art by Rock Roszak. This is the final instalment of a two part volume that began in 2019 with Jet Fighters of the US Navy and Marine Corps Part 1; The First Ten Years. While the first book covered the early jet fighters beginning with the McDonnell FH-1 Phantom in 1945 and closed with the Grumman F11F-1 Tiger, the new volume picks up with the next generation of Navy/Marine Corps fighters, beginning with the indomitable Vought F8U Crusader.

The Crusader was essential during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1982 and earned its battle stripes in the Vietnam War as a proven air superiority fighter. It continued to serve into the 1980’s, when the final version of the Crusader, the photo reconnaissance variant, the RF-8G, was retired by US Navy Reserve Squadron VFP-206 on 29 March 1987.  All the primary jet fighters from the Crusader to the Joint Strike Fighter F-35 Lighting II are presented in this book. Author Kinzey, with supporting art work by Rock Roszak, have expertly covered the design and development of modern US Navy and Marine Corps fighters over the last 70 years.

Thirteen aircraft are described in detail; from design and development to operational deployment and end of service. Operational histories, such as the dangerous event in 1981 when F-14s from VF-41 were challenged by two Libyan Su-22 Fitter Js over the Gulf Sidra is an example.

Kinzey includes a chapter on aircraft carrier development, being an essential element necessary in jet fighter development and the changing requirements necessary to keep pace with the evolution of new aircraft designs. This continues where Jet Fighters of the US Navy and Marine Corps Part 1 ended and is an interesting narrative on its own and is an interesting look at the design challenges necessary to meet the demands of new jet aircraft as they join the fleet.

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The book is illustrated with 208 photographs, 188 in color, and 10 full color profile drawings by Rock Roszak (printed version). This book is timely in providing a well-researched review of the principle US Navy and Marine Corps jet fighters of the last 70 years. It’s amazing to realize the changes that have taken place during this period.

In conclusion this book is highly recommended as an excellent reference for its detailed histories of each jet fighter type covered, brilliant color photography and exceptional art work by Rock Roszak.  

Review Copyright © 21 August, 2020
Last updated 17 December, 2020

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